Electronic leakage reduction techniques

ABSTRACT

Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided, whereby a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is off or otherwise placed in a mode for reduced power use by said appliance, and whereby voltage and power provided to the appliance are then substantially reduced. In other aspects of the disclosed technology, user behavior may also manually control power delivered to the appliance, for example, with a switch. In still other aspects of the disclosed technology, a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is on or otherwise placed in a mode for higher power use by said appliance, and increases power to the appliance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/784,408, filed Mar. 4, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/210,366, filed Aug. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,410,639, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/888,410, filed September 22, 2010, now U.S. Patent No. 7,999,415,issued August 16, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. PatentApplication No. 11/806,083, filed May 29, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.7,821,161, issued Oct. 26, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/808,814, filed May 27, 2006, all thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to techniques for reducing electronicleakage from appliances and modified electrical outlets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of electrically-powered appliances are known to drawelectrical current, using electrical power, even when “switched off,”meaning that the appliance is placed in a relatively inactive and unusedstate by the user, usually by pushing a “power” button or switching apower switch to an “off” position. (These buttons are often labeled withthe symbol:

, or a similar symbol.) The power consumed by appliances that are“switched off,” known as power “leakage,” is a matter of growing publicconcern because the associated unnecessary use of power is tremendouslywasteful of economic resources, especially in the aggregate, andcontributes to the creation of atmospheric pollution associated with theproduction of the wasted power at plants that expel pollution, includinggreenhouse gasses. See generally California Energy Commission, reportavailable athttp://www.consumerenergycenter.org/homeandwork/homes/inside/appliances/small.html.; see alsohttp://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/pubs/cop5-leaking.pdf.

The problem of leakage has been address through “Smart Switches” builtinto, or retrofitted to, individual appliances, such that an appliancedraws little or no current upon pressing a power button, or flipping apower switch. See generallyhttp://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/pubs/cop5-leaking.pdf. Similarly,one may simply unplug an appliance, or switch off a “hard switch” whichtotally breaks an electric circuit, preventing further leakage. Anothertechnology addresses the problem of leakage by enabling the electricalutility company to control outlets at each and all homes of theindividual consumer, to reduce their “draw” at critical times of powershortage. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,695, “System, Apparatus and Method forEnergy Distribution Monitoring and Control and InformationTransmission.” Yet another technology addresses leakage through a“smart” power strip, with one or more outlets designated as “control,”“master” or “hot,” which is constantly powered, but also monitored forcurrent usage, and other “slave” outlets on the strip that are switchedoff when an appliance attached to the “control” outlet is “turned off.”That technology is intended for systems, such as a computer, computerscreen, computer-associated printer, etc., where the consumer may wishfor all associated devices to be switched off at once, when thecomputer, for example, is switched off.

Some Disadvantages of Conventional Technologies

The latter technology discussed above does not address the problem ofleakage from the “control,”/“master”/“hot” appliance, which will stilldraw power while the associated peripheral appliances are switched off.Similarly, that technology does not apply to devices that areindividually turned on and off because the consumer does not wish tonecessarily associate their use and disuse with some other “master” or“control” appliance. In addition, such Smart Switches integrated innewer appliances address the problem of leakage on an ongoing basis, butdo not address the problem of leakage in the vast majority of existingappliances. Although a consumer may always unplug or otherwise manuallybreak the circuit, as with a finger-actuated power strip switch, thatsolution requires perpetual consideration and perseverance on the partof the individual consumer. In practice, the vast majority of individualconsumers leave their appliances plugged in, and leaking power, evenwhen aware of the problem of leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided. In one aspect ofthe disclosed technology, an electrical power outlet with a programmablecomputing unit and means for reducing power to appliances detectswhether said appliance is in “the off position,” and reduces voltage tothe appliance, and then monitors the level of power drawn by theappliance to determine when the appliance is in the “on position,” andrestores the “original operational voltage” to the appliance. Morespecifically, the electrical power outlet including a programmablecomputing unit delivers a “selected voltage below the originaloperational voltage” to the appliance while the appliance is in the offposition, while testing the level or pattern of power, current orresistance, and restoring the original operational voltage to theappliance when said levels or patterns match the state of the appliancein the on position. Alternatively, the electrical power outlet includinga programmable computing unit may deliver a particular voltage forparticular durations at particular intervals to the appliance while theappliance is in the “off position,” while testing the level or patternof power, current or resistance, and restoring the original operationalvoltage to the appliance when said levels or patterns match the state ofthe appliance in the on position.

The following definitions apply to the remainder of this application:

“The off position” means that action with respect to an electricalappliance, such as switching a main power switch on the appliance to the“off” position, prescribed by the manufacturer or user for reducingpower consumption by the appliance, has taken place without subsequentaction prescribed by the manufacturer or user for returning theappliance to the “on” position.

“The on position” means that action with respect to an electricalappliance, such as switching a main power switch on the appliance to theon position, prescribed by the manufacturer or user for increasing powerconsumption by the appliance, has taken place, without subsequent actionprescribed by the manufacturer or user for returning the appliance to“the off position.”

“Original operational voltage” means the voltage or range of voltagesapplied to an appliance at which the appliance is operated, according tomanufacturer's specifications or customary usage by consumers.

“Selected voltage below the original operational voltage” means avoltage below the original operational voltage and at which a level ofpower, resistance or current of the appliance can be identified asrelating to the appliance in the on position.

“Pattern of current drawn by an electrical appliance” means a set ofmore than one level of current in an appliance occurring at particulartimed intervals.

“Pattern of resistance of an electrical appliance” means a set of morethan one level of resistance in an appliance occurring at particulartimed intervals.

“Pattern of power drawn by an electrical appliance” means a set of morethan on level of power in an appliance occurring at particular timedintervals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating exemplary programming and methodologyfor a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for a mode in which aselected voltage below the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating additional exemplary programming andmethodology for a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for amode in which the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating additional exemplary programming andmethodology for a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for amode in which the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance, and illustrating additional programming by the user;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for performing thepresent techniques according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating exemplary programming and methodologyfor a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for a mode in which aselected voltage below the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance. In step 101, a selected voltage, below the originaloperational voltage for the appliance, is applied to the appliance. Asexplained above, a selected voltage below the original operationalvoltage means a voltage below the original operational voltage and atwhich a level of power, resistance or current of the appliance can beidentified as relating to the appliance in the on position. By applyinga selected voltage below the original operational voltage to anappliance, greatly reduced power consumption due to “leakage,” definedas power consumed by the appliance while the appliance is in the offposition, can be achieved while monitoring the appliance for anindication that the user intends to return the appliance to the onposition, which signs may include an increased electrical resistance,lower current, increased power, or a pattern of resistance, pattern ofcurrent or pattern of power associated with the electrical appliance ineither or both of the on or off positions. Alternatively, a particularvoltage may be applied for particular durations at particular intervals,while still falling within the scope of the disclosed technology. Thatalternative may be more useful where the on position or off position ismore difficult to determine with respect to an appliance at lowervoltages, and the resistive, power and/or current-drawingcharacteristics of the appliance in the on position or off position donot vary widely over time or vary according to a pattern that can bedetected at said particular intervals and particular durations. In step103, said preferred embodiment determines whether a programming button,A, is depressed by the user, which would indicate that the user intendsto indicate to the programming unit of the disclosed technology that theappliance is in the off position. If button A is depressed, theprogramming unit proceeds to step 105, in which the programming unitdetects, with the assistance of a sensor or sensors, the level orpattern of power drawn by the appliance, electrical resistance of theappliance or current drawn through the circuit made by the appliance andpower outlet. It is within the scope of this disclosed technology thatany of those three described electrical characteristics of the appliancemay be detected and recorded. In step 107, the programming unit thenrecords in a memory unit either the average level of power or pattern ofpower over a set time interval, shown as 5 seconds in FIG. 1, under acode identifying those recordings as recordings of the electricalcharacteristics of the appliance in the off position. It is alsopossible for the programming unit to record levels or patterns ofelectrical resistance of the appliance or current through theappliance/outlet circuit and accomplish the aims of the presentdisclosed technology. At that point, the programming unit returns tostep 101. If, at step 103, the programming unit determines that button Ais not depressed, the programming unit proceeds to step 109 and detects,with a sensor, the present levels or patterns of power drawn by theappliance, electrical resistance of the appliance or current drawnthrough the circuit made by the appliance and power outlet. In step 111,the programming unit compares the present levels or patterns of powerdrawn by the appliance, electrical resistance of the appliance orcurrent drawn through the circuit made by the appliance and power outletwith levels or patterns recorded in the memory unit during step 107. Instep 113, the programming unit then determines whether the presentlevels or patterns of power drawn by the appliance, electricalresistance of the appliance or current drawn through the circuit made bythe appliance and power outlet match levels or patterns recorded in thememory unit during step 107. It is within the scope of this disclosedtechnology that there may be a confidence interval, which indicates anamount of deviation between the present levels or patterns of powerdrawn by the appliance, electrical resistance of the appliance orcurrent drawn through the circuit made by the appliance and levels orpatterns recorded in the memory unit during step 107. It is also withinthe scope of this disclosed technology that such a confidence intervalmay be set by the user. Such a confidence interval may be set byestablishing minimum or maximum levels of electrical power drawn by theappliance, resistance of the appliance or current passing through theappliance/outlet circuit after which a match will be determined. Such astep may be accomplished through any number of programming and userinterfaces which will be readily apparent to those with skill in theart. If, in step 113, the programming unit determines that the presentlevels or patterns of power drawn by the appliance, electricalresistance of the appliance or current drawn through the circuit made bythe appliance and power outlet match levels or patterns recorded in thememory unit during step 107, the programming unit returns to step 101.If, by contrast, in step 113, the programming unit determines that thepresent levels or patterns of power drawn by the appliance, electricalresistance of the appliance or current drawn through the circuit made bythe appliance and power outlet do not match levels or patterns recordedin the memory unit during step 107, the programming unit will cause therestoration of original operational voltage to the appliance, anddiscontinuation of delivery of the selected voltage below the originaloperational voltage. This may be accomplished by the programming unitsending a signal to a relay connected to the outlet/appliance circuit.As discussed above, the original operational voltage means the voltageor range of voltages applied to an appliance at which the appliance isoperated, according to manufacturer's specifications or customary usageby consumers. Typically, in the United States, the original operationalvoltage for an appliance is 120 volts, at the outlet.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating additional exemplary programming andmethodology for a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for amode in which the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance, and the programming unit has recorded levels or patterns ofthe appliance in the off position, as in the methodology set forth inFIG. 1. In step 201, the original operational voltage is applied to theappliance. The programming unit then proceeds to step 203, where theprogramming unit detects, with a sensor, the present level or pattern ofresistance of the appliance. For many appliances, the characteristiclevel or pattern of resistance will be equivalent, within a confidenceinterval, across a range of voltages. This principal is well knownwithin the art, and expressed under the common formula V=IR, where theresistance (R) may be constant while voltage (V) will alter the level ofcurrent only (I). In step 205, the programming unit then proceeds tocompare the present level or pattern of resistance of the appliance withlevels or patterns of resistance recorded in the memory unit during step107 of FIG. 1. Once again, it is within the scope of this disclosedtechnology that a certain confidence interval with respect to the amountof difference between the present levels or patterns of resistance andthose recorded in memory during step 107 before the two comparators willbe found to match, under step 205. That confidence interval may bevariably set by the user according to the user's experience with theeffectiveness of particular confidence intervals with respect toidentifying when the appliance is in the off position. It is also withinthe scope of this disclosed technology that such a confidence intervalmay be set by the user. Such a confidence interval may be set byestablishing minimum or maximum levels of electrical power drawn by theappliance, resistance of the appliance or current passing through theappliance/outlet circuit after which a match will be determined. If, instep 205, the programming unit determines that the present level orpattern of resistance of the appliance matches levels or patterns ofresistance recorded in the memory unit during step 107 of FIG. 1, theprogramming unit proceeds to step 207, in which the programming unitdiscontinues application of the original operational voltage to theappliance, and applies a selected voltage below the original operationalvoltage to the circuit, and then proceeds to step 101 of FIG. 1. Step207 may be accomplished by the programming unit sending a signal to arelay or set of relays connected to the appliance/outlet circuit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating additional exemplary programming andmethodology for a programmable unit of a preferred embodiment, for amode in which the original operational voltage is applied to anappliance, and illustrating additional programming by the user. In step301, the original operational voltage is applied to the appliance. Theprogramming unit then proceeds to step 303, in which it determineswhether the user has depressed button B, which indicates to theprogramming unit that the user intends to indicate that the appliance isin the on position. If the programming unit determines that button B isdepressed, the programming unit proceeds to step 305. In step 305, theprogramming unit detects with a sensor either the average level of poweror pattern of power over a set time interval, shown as 5 seconds in FIG.3. Similarly, the programming unit may detect the levels or patterns ofelectrical resistance of the appliance or current passing through theappliance/outlet circuit. In step 307, the programming unit then recordsthe average level or the pattern of power, electrical resistance of theappliance, or current through the appliance/outlet circuit in a memoryunit, under a code identifying those recordings as recordings of theelectrical characteristics of the appliance in the on position. Theprogramming unit then returns to step 303. If, at step 303, theprogramming unit determines that button B is not depressed, theprogramming unit then proceeds to step 309. In step 309, the programmingunit detects the present level or pattern of power, electricalresistance of the appliance, or current through the appliance/outletcircuit, using a sensor, over a particular interval. In step 311, theprogramming unit compares the present level or pattern of power,electrical resistance of the appliance, or current through theappliance/outlet circuit with the average level or the pattern of power,electrical resistance of the appliance, or current through theappliance/outlet circuit recorded in the memory unit under a codeidentifying those recordings as recordings of the electricalcharacteristics of the appliance in the on position. In step 313, theprogramming unit determines whether the present level or pattern ofpower, electrical resistance of the appliance, or current through theappliance/outlet circuit matches (which match may be determined by aconfidence interval which may be variably set by the user) the averagelevel or pattern of power, electrical resistance of the appliance, orcurrent through the appliance/outlet circuit recorded in the memory unitunder a code identifying those recordings as recordings of theelectrical characteristics of the appliance in the on position. If so,the programming unit returns to Step 303. If not, the programming unitproceeds to step 315, in which the programming unit discontinuesapplication of the original operational voltage to the appliance andapplies a selected voltage below the original operational voltage to theappliance, proceeding to step 101 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for performing thepresent techniques according to an embodiment of the present disclosedtechnology. A user-depressible button A 401 allows the user to indicateto the programming unit 403 when the appliance is in the off position,at which time the programming unit 403 detects by connection to a sensor405 levels or patterns of electrical power, resistance or currentdelivered in the circuit to an appliance via the outlet 407, accordingto aspects of the present disclosed technology. The programming unit 403is also connected to a memory unit 409, which enables the programmingunit to record levels or patterns of electrical power, resistance orcurrent under identifiable codes, according to the aspects of thisdisclosed technology. The programming unit is also connected to a relay411, which may switch the voltage between the original operationalvoltage and the selected voltage below the original operational voltage.A selector 413 connected to the programming unit 403 may be used to setany confidence intervals discussed in this specification and/or theselected voltage below the original operational voltage. A power source415 enables the disclosed technology to provide power to the appliance.Finally, a button B 417 connected to the programming unit 403 permitsthe user to indicate when the appliance is in the on position, and theprogramming unit 403 may then also record levels or patterns ofelectrical power, resistance or current under identifiable codes,according to the aspects of this disclosed technology.

It is within the scope of this disclosed technology that solid-statecircuitry may also be utilized to accomplish some of the objectives ofthis disclosed technology. For example, a variably-set (by the user)reverse-oriented circuit breaker could cause an outlet to ceasedelivering power below certain pre-determined power levels, which may beset by the user as corresponding to the level of power consumption bythe appliance in the off position. Magnets may be interposed for thecircuit to test the level of resistance and potential current of theappliance at that point to determine whether the appliance is beingreturned to the on position, at which time the circuit breaker mayre-close according to other aspects of this disclosed technology.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A multi-functional appliance, comprising: a powersaving button to place the multi-functional appliance in a power savingmode according to a power saving routine; a memory device to store thepower saving routine; a power source to deliver power based at least inpart on the power saving routine; and a programming device to record atleast one level or at least one pattern of electrical power, resistance,or current delivered to the multi-functional appliance during the powersaving routine; wherein the power saving button, the memory device, thepower source, and the programming device are communicatively coupled.22. The multi-functional appliance of claim 21, further comprising: arelay device to switch the multi-functional appliance from an originaloperational voltage to a power saving routine voltage; wherein the powersaving button, the memory device, the power source, the programmingdevice, and the relay device are communicatively coupled.
 23. Themulti-functional appliance of claim 21, further comprising: a sensordevice to detect the at least one level or the at least one pattern ofthe electrical power, the resistance, or the current delivered to themulti-functional appliance based at least in part on the power savingbutton; wherein the power saving button, the memory device, the powersource, the programming device, and the sensor device arecommunicatively coupled.
 24. The multi-functional appliance of claim 21,further comprising: a selector device to select a confidence level or apower saving routine voltage; wherein the power saving button, thememory device, the power source, the programming device, and theselector device are communicatively coupled.
 25. The multi-functionalappliance of claim 21, further comprising: an on button to turn themulti-functional appliance on; wherein the power saving button, thememory device, the power source, the programming device, and the onbutton are communicatively coupled.
 26. The multi-functional applianceof claim 25, wherein the programming device records at least anotherlevel or at least another pattern of the electrical power, theresistance, or the current delivered to the multi-functional appliancebased at least in part on detecting activation of the on button.
 27. Amethod of operating a multi-functional device, comprising: placing themulti-functional appliance in a power saving mode according to a powersaving routine based at least in part on detecting activation of a powersaving button; storing the power saving routine in a memory device;delivering power to the multi-functional appliance based at least inpart on the power saving routine; and determining, using a programmingdevice, at least one level or at least one pattern of electrical power,resistance, or current delivered to the multi-functional applianceduring the power saving routine.
 28. The method of operating themulti-functional appliance of claim 27, further comprising: switchingthe multi-functional device from an original operational voltage to apower saving routine voltage using a relay device.
 29. The method ofoperating the multi-functional appliance of claim 27, furthercomprising: detecting the at least one level or the at least one patternof the electrical power, the resistance, or the current delivered to themulti-functional appliance using a sensor device.
 30. The method ofoperating the multi-functional appliance of claim 27, furthercomprising: selecting a confidence level or a power saving routinevoltage using a selector device.
 31. The method of operating themulti-functional appliance of claim 27, further comprising: turning themultifunctional appliance on using an on button.
 32. The method ofoperating the multi-functional appliance of claim 31, determining, usingthe programming device, at least another level or at least anotherpattern of electrical power, resistance, or current delivered to themulti-functional appliance based at least in part on detectingactivation of the on button.
 33. A device, comprising: a power savingmeans to place the multi-functional appliance in a power saving modeaccording to a power saving routine; a power source means to deliverpower to the multi-functional appliance based at least in part on thepower saving routine; and a programming means to determine at least onelevel or at least one pattern of electrical power, resistance, orcurrent delivered to the multi-functional appliance during the powersaving routine and to record the at least one level or the at least onepattern of the electrical power, the resistance, or the currentdelivered to the multi-functional appliance during the power savingroutine in a memory means; wherein the power saving means, the powersource means, the programming means, and the memory means arecommunicatively coupled.
 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the memorymeans to store the power saving routine and the at least one level orthe at least one pattern of the electrical power, the resistance, or thecurrent delivered to the multi-functional appliance during the powersaving routine.
 35. The device of claim 33, further comprising: a relaymeans to switch the multi-functional device from an original operationalvoltage to a power saving routine voltage; wherein the power savingmeans, the power source means, the programming means, and the relaymeans are communicatively coupled.
 36. The device of claim 33, furthercomprising: a sensor means to detect the at least one level or the atleast one pattern of the electrical power, the resistance, or thecurrent delivered to the multi-functional appliance; wherein the powersaving means, the power source means, the programming means, and thesensor means are communicatively coupled.
 37. The device of claim 33,further comprising: a selector means to select a confidence level or apower saving routine voltage; wherein the power saving means, the powersource means, the programming means, and the selector means arecommunicatively coupled.
 38. The device of claim 33, further comprising:an on means to turn the multi-functional appliance on; wherein the powersaving means, the power source means, the programming means, and the onmeans are communicatively coupled.
 39. The device of claim 38, whereinthe programming means records at least another level or at least anotherpattern of electrical power, resistance, or current delivered to themulti-functional appliance based at least in part on the on means.